College Football Playoff watch guide: Broadcast info for New Year's quarterfinal games
SOURCE:The Athletic|BY:Steven Louis Goldstein
The College Football Playoff bracket branches into New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with four games spread from Bourbon St. to Pasadena.
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,” and may every fourth-down call be vindicated. The College Football Playoff bracket branches into New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with four enticing games spread from Bourbon Street to Pasadena.
There was fun to be had in the CFP’s opening round — Alabama staged a cinematic comeback in Norman, and Miami pulled off a dramatic win at College Station — but here’s where the action truly picks up. Each quarterfinal matchup has a national TV window with multiple simulcast options. Let the resolutions rip as the power programs collide.
All times ET, all odds via BetMGM and rankings based on the CFP Top 25.
The matchup: Ohio State claims nine national championships across its storied history, including an epic double-overtime win over Miami during the 2002 season. But the Buckeyes have yet to go back-to-back. Their title defense begins Wednesday night. Redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin is a cool breeze under center, coming in with 31 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He benefits from two game-breaking talents out wide. Sophomore Jeremiah Smith has topped 1,000 receiving yards with his long and graceful strides, while junior Carnell Tate will soon be NFL-bound with his contested catch skills.
Ryan Day’s defense is even more formidable, as Ohio State takes the field at No. 1 in points allowed. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler calls junior linebacker Arvell Reese “the clear No. 1 player” in his updated NFL Draft prospect board.
Miami matches with a strong front wall of its own. Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes are fourth in both scoring defense (13 points per game) and team sacks (41 in 13 outings). Like Reese, fellow junior edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. is a top name on Brugler’s board. The offense is a bit more modest, but sixth-year QB Carson Beck has ample big-game experience. Junior dasher Mark Fletcher Jr., a former Ohio State commit, is also a player to watch. The running back broke Texas A&M last time out:
Both starting QBs have won national championships as backups — Sayin with OSU last season, Beck in 2021 and 2022 with Georgia. One of them will push closer to a title of his own.
The broadcast: Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek are in the booth for ESPN’s main telecast. Quint Kessenich and Taylor McGregor are the field reporters. Over on ESPN2, there’s a “Field Pass” simulcast anchored by Pat McAfee. Among his reveling regulars is A.J. Hawk, the former Ohio State All-American linebacker.
Because ESPN operates the ACC Network, there’s a second “Field Pass” option on that conference channel. “ACC Huddle” is hosted by Taylor Tannebaum and includes current Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key. For those seeking an alternate camera angle, ESPNU’s “SkyCast” has the bird’s-eye view from up high. And for those seeking four alternate camera angles, there’s the “Command Center” presentation on ESPNEWS.
Texas Tech (No. 4) vs. Oregon (No. 5)
**Orange Bowl
New Year’s Day, noon
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla.
**
The matchup: It’s a South Beach style clash. Texas Tech boasts a nightmare defense under Joey McGuire, who went either 8-5 or 7-6 in each of his first three seasons on the job. This 12-1 breakout team is led by senior LB Jacob Rodriguez — winner of the Nagurski, Bednarik, Lombardi and Butkus awards. He’s been an all-around force, with seven forced fumbles and four interceptions from the second level. Remarkably, Rodriguez was originally recruited to Virginia as a quarterback. The Red Raiders took their sole loss to Arizona State on Oct. 18, then won six straight games to secure the Big 12 crown.
Dan Lanning and Oregon counter with light-speed offense. The Ducks led the FBS in plays of 20 or more yards, thanks to dynamic Dante Moore under center. Per Brugler, the redshirt sophomore QB could go as high as first overall in April’s draft. Junior tight end and walking mismatch Kenyon Sadiq also projects as a first-round pick. But Moore was really locked in with WR Malik Benson during their opening-round demolition of James Madison. The senior finished with 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
There’s juice on the other side, too. Fifth-year Red Raider Behren Morton is an efficient passer at high volume; junior Ducks edge rusher Teitum Tuioti arrives with 7 1/2 sacks in 13 games.
The broadcast: Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer are on the call. Katie George and Stormy Buonantony handle sideline duties. There’s no “Field Pass” or conference network pairing for this game, so the “SkyCast” goes to ESPN2 and the “Command Center” is on ESPNU.
Though Rece Davis and crew are on site at the Rose Bowl, this Texas Tech-Oregon broadcast will be preceded by “College GameDay,” which airs from 9 a.m. up until the noon kickoff. Kirk Herbstreit (Ohio State) and Nick Saban (Alabama) both have rooting interests in this quarterfinal round. They’re joined on the iconic orange set by McAfee and Desmond Howard.
Indiana (No. 1) vs. Alabama (No. 9)
**Rose Bowl
New Year’s Day, 4 p.m.
Rose Bowl Stadium — Pasadena, Calif.
**
The matchup: It’s a classic role reversal in Southern California. Indiana began 2025 with more losses than any Division I program; it starts 2026 as the CFP’s No. 1 entrant. Behind architect Curt Cignetti, these Hoosiers are amid an all-time turnaround and trying to stay unbeaten on the year.
The offense revolves around Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who leads the nation in adjusted yards per pass and has a clean 33 TDs to six INTs. The redshirt junior QB has jumped to the front of 2026 mock drafts with a quick release and a patient playmaking scope. Indiana’s defense is coming off a second-half shutout of Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. On the whole, the team is fourth in points scored and second in points allowed.
Meanwhile, Alabama is as blue-blooded as it gets for college football. The school claims 18 national titles, with a dynastic tapestry wrapping from Bear Bryant to Saban. This year’s iteration is rather atypical with three losses and its underdog status. The skeptics lined up to contest Alabama’s CFP inclusion, but they were promptly quieted by its propulsive road comeback at Oklahoma. Down 17-0 in the second quarter, Kalen DeBoer’s Tide ripped off 27 straight points. Senior WR Germie Bernard sealed the effort with this unreal grab:
All the angles of the INSANE catch from Alabama WR Germie Bernard.
It set up a Crimson Tide TD and 10-point lead over Oklahoma in the fourth quarter.
Redshirt junior Ty Simpson paces the SEC in both passing yards and TDs. He’s now tasked with landing the first punch on Indiana’s Cinderella season.
The broadcast: The Rose Bowl gets the “ABC Saturday Night Football” A-team. Chris Fowler and Herbstreit are on the mic; Holly Rowe and Kris Budden are on the sideline. McAfee’s “Field Pass” setup is back on ESPN2 for this game. There are also two “SkyCast” alternatives, with the standard audio on ESPNU and the Alabama radio call on the SEC Network (which is also operated by ESPN). For pregame coverage, “SEC Now” features Dari Nowkhah on the desk, plus Chris Doering and Benjamin Watson on commentary.
Georgia (No. 3) vs. Ole Miss (No. 6)
**Sugar Bowl
New Year’s Day, 8 p.m.
Caesars Superdome — New Orleans
**
The matchup: Georgia muscled its way to the SEC championship through its punishing defense. Redshirt freshman Ellis Robinson IV tied for the conference lead with four interceptions. Per Pro Football Focus, the rising CB has more picks (two) than catches allowed (one) across his last three games. Junior LB CJ Allen is an All-American stopper with an electric motor. The elite defense makes assignments much easier for redshirt junior QB Gunner Stockton and the Georgia ground game.
Few football arcs can match that of Trinidad Chambliss, who has stunned the entire sport in his debut Division I season. Last year, Chambliss was quarterbacking for Division II member Ferris State. This week, he closes out the quarterfinal slate in the Superdome spotlight. Chambliss enters Thursday with a microscopic 0.8 percent INT rate. He tallied three total scores (one throwing, two rushing) in Ole Miss’ first-round win against Tulane. Lining up behind him is sophomore RB Kewan Lacy, who has an SEC-leading 21 rushing touchdowns.
Like Indiana-Alabama, this is a fight between the haves and the have-nots, even if both teams are 12-1. Georgia was the consecutive CFP champ in 2021 and 2022; Ole Miss’ last national title claim was back in 1962 and was not official. The Bulldogs have been stable with Kirby Smart at the helm, while the Rebels continue their high-water mark with Pete Golding and very much without Lane Kiffin. These two made for great regular-season TV on Oct. 18, with Smart’s squad dealing Ole Miss its lone L (43-35). All systems go for round two.
The broadcast: Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy are the nightcap narrators. On-field updates come in from network teammates Molly McGrath and Laura Rutledge. Each side has a local radio “SkyCast” — Georgia on ESPN2, Ole Miss on SEC Network. Before kickoff, Rutledge hosts “SEC Nation,” along with Paul Finebaum and a trio of former players (Tim Tebow, Jordan Rodgers and Roman Harper).
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